 "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. AP")
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday (March 9) took a subtle dig over his decision to not wear a suit to the White House meeting with US President Donald Trump last month.
Ukrainian presidency released a video showing Zelenskyy thanking an audience at an awards ceremony. Then, the Ukrainian leader says, “Sorry I’m not in a suit", leaving people in splits.
Zelenskyy was wearing his trademark black outfit with Ukraine’s trident symbol at the event, similar to what he wore to the Trump meeting.
His satirical remarks came ahead of Ukraine’s anticipated talks with US officials in Riyadh this week. It would be the first formal direct meeting between US and Ukrainian officials since Trump took office on January 20.
Since the start of the war, Zelenskyy has consistently worn military-style clothing for both domestic and international appearances as a sign of solidarity with Ukrainian soldiers fighting on the frontlines. He has said that his choice of attire serves as a symbol of the ongoing conflict and Ukraine’s resistance against Russian aggression.
However, his attire became a point of discussion when he visited Washington DC on February 28.
An American conservative reporter bluntly asked him, “Why don’t you wear a suit?"
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More Shorts“You’re at the highest level in this country’s office, and you refuse to wear a suit. Do you own a suit?” the reporter asked.
Zelenskyy in response said he would “wear the costume when this war is over”.
Earlier, Trump also commented on Zelenskyy’s clothing when he came to receive him at the gate of the Oval Office.
Trump greeted him with saying, “You’re all dressed up today.”
However, speaking to Politico, a Ukrainian journalist has now said Zelenskyy’s attire should not be seen as a casual wear by anyone.
lllia Ponomarenko claimed Zelenskyy’s clothes reflect a soft and anti-elitist message.
“When he meets with prominent figures and power brokers, his clothes are basically asking, what are you about? Are you about the business of saving lives, or are you about fancy protocols? Even when he meets with kings, he dresses in a way that represents the average Ukrainian involved in this war effort. So it’s a message to say, ‘I’ve come to the corners of power as a representative of my humble people’,” he said.
The most significant element of Zelenskyy’s outfit is the Ukrainian trident, a key national symbol. Ukrainian designer Elvira Gasanova previously stated that the trident distinguishes him as a wartime leader who does not need to wear suits.
(With inputs from agencies)